The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-18

AT last Lady 0'Rcilly broke the silence.
For the question which she now put to
Mr.. Mapleson. her tone was quiet, meas
ured, ~ though she asked with n DELHI
crate purpose; "Mr. Mapleson-if it is a
proper question 10 put TO you, in conf.
dence among ourselvcs-wha is your own
opinion, frankly, rs regards MIS-. Humby2'
The lawyer was taken aback. For my
sell, | held my breath, as ii it were the
verdict of the jury which was about TO be
pronounced. FRANKLY" he answesed,
81 think she fired the bungalow. Under
temporary arrangement, perhaps, and
without distinct intent TO cause her hus-
bands death. But from all | know at
present, | cannot come TO any other con-
clusion than that her hand did it," This
was horrible. What | should have said or
done but for the quick and thoughtful in-
terposition OF Lady O'Reilly, | do not
know. She rose, and with reeling head |
was barely conscious that she bowed 10
MIR, Mapleson, and went us far as the door
with him. Then she came back, her
lovely face lit up with that luminous kind.
ness which heaven gives TO the true
woman, and laid her hand gently on my
arm. "My poor boy" she sud, lit has
been hard 10 hear that sentence spoken.
Will 1t comfort you If | say that my belief
in her innocence is as mistaken us youi
own?"
i could have fallen NJ hcriect and kissed
the shoes she wore. | only put my lips
revercntly and gratefully to her hand,
without uttering n word. Ny heart Wa
too full-too full OF that which this noble
woman discovered ere | was aware of il
| m NEnlI-lpNaa1 Ana tlaN ,xfnu IA. 40. ay.1
knowing IL now, the state OF my mind will
be appreciated.
Next day, which | drearily looked for.
ward TO as n of dull and helpless anx-
iety alone, was fraught with anevcnt which
excited Jullabad to u white heat, and gave
me such a blow rs a man never receives
twice during his lifetime.
rose very early-as everybody does IN
midland had a canter through the pUrk
before the usual morning duties. After
these | went TO the mess for breakfast.
And here ] forgot breakfast aud NIL else IN
presence Of the news some OF our men had
brought in-that Mrs. llumby had disap,
pcarcd from the cuntOnmcnt magistrate d
bungalow during the night.
| SINK into a chair apart from all the
rest With a groan. What madness could
have tempted her 10 so fatal n step? II
was an admission OF her guilt before all
the world. She paralyzcd her friends bN
her folly. Who could stand up for hcl
now?
went about in n kind Of s,upor all lay.
| did not even 90 10 lady UIicilly. How
could latter what she lad said TO me th,
day befotc2 "My belief in her ]innoccnc,
is rs mistaken as your own knew il
was shakcn now-cyrn hers for alas and
alas will confess tiny own had sus
tanned a stunning blow.
Hour after hour had went Nv. and n,
tidings, or even trace. Of the fugitive wcr,
gathered. This was strange, because ar
Indian cantonmcnt offers few chances q
conccalment, especially TO q lady. II Wa
certain she had not been near the nilwa,
station. The ihoroughncss Of the search
which WAS made, and the deadlock I,
which efforts Of discovery had come, mas
be inferred from the Tact that before sun.
set every well in the station had bvpi
dragged without result. Had she been ear
ricd into the clouds her Disappearance,
could not have been morc complete an,
untraccablc.
IL was guest night nj our mes, aud
would willingly have absented myself
Hoping. however, for q few hours dis
traction from NV thoughts, | went. Thcr
we're n good many men nj dinner. militar.
and civil officials aud fellows from othC
corps. The talk wa all on the n ala
sorbing and exciting topic. A hundrr,
theories werc put forward 90 accpun
for the disappearance of Mrs. Hum
by, but not one expression vt bell,
in her innocence was TO be- heard now
IL WIS The very torture OF slow death .
me 10 st listening, and IL was incyiiabl
that I should loss my clf-control ~ last.
"If she Is in the jungles, " heard !
observed, "thc unfortunate woman ha
chosen the worse OF two evils. Even.
native jury would have mon mercy thai
u hungry panther.
| rose TO leave the table, unable Ia On
durc more. As I did col heard u g.,
words spoken near mc-by whom | WI
too excited 20 remember at the moupni
81 am sorry for her. As long o. she va
entitled 10 a doubt, | expressed noopiuion
There was mor IN the relation. ~ Hum
by aud his wife than Others knew. III
was no angel; but he was clearly disiI,
pointed IN his Wiic-not that this juslihc,
~ill-usagp; but n his story wcn' told. per
haps "A good deal would boz explained
There Is no harm in declaring now th
opinion | have held all along and other
~ well ~ THAT Mn. Humby deliberate
w numbered her husband. Her flight IL
itself h confession oi guilt"
There was u murmur, lint nobody di-
scented openly. The room swan noun,
me, and ! madly snairhcd q glass ul Win
and dashed Il Ia the speaker lace.
you lic." | shouicd-"likc q c0wur
aud q cad!.
Men lcapcd 10 their feet, and q silcnc
followed Of intense amazcmcnt. ThI
brought me 70 my senses, aud ! rcalizcD
what I had done. I had put this publ
Outrage on the colonel Of my regiment
ITO b. o3ufiuai)